Unintended Liftoff: Tianlong-3 Rocket Ignites Unexpectedly, Exploding Near Chinese Town
GONGYI, China — A test of a rocket engine led to an unintentional launch and subsequent explosion of the Tianlong-3 rocket near Gongyi, central China, this past Sunday, officials from Beijing Tianbing Technology Company, also known as Space Pioneer, confirmed. The incident, which occurred during a routine engine test, resulted in no casualties but ignited a fire on the surrounding hillside. During what was meant to be a stationary engine test — a common procedure …